Hurtado is newest member of Brewster City Council

BREWSTER – Emmanuel “Manny” Hurtado is the newest member of the Brewster City Council by a narrow margin after trailing incumbent Ramiro Villagrana in the early returns. At the time of election certification by the Okanogan County Auditor on Tuesday, Nov. 28, Hurtado held a three-vote, 66-63 lead over Villagrana, who was seeking his third term on the council.
Hurtado, the owner of several businesses in the area with brother, Martin, said he is excited about the prospect of working with the other council members and thinks he has a fresh perspective to add to the group.
“I’m a business man and I want to work to bring more businesses into Brewster and bring more revenue to the city,” said Hurtado. “Right now there is no new revenue coming in and the city has to rely on permit and service fees for much of its money.”
Hurtado said that in addition to attracting more business to the area, he hopes to encourage more of the younger generation to either remain in the area or return at a later time.
“I have three kids and once they have the opportunity to leave the area, I hope I can get to consider staying here or coming back here.” Hurtado said.
The remaining races were mostly one-candidate affairs with mayors of Brewster and Pateros and council members returning to office unopposed.
Okanogan County Proposition 1, the county sales tax for juvenile detention facilities received a 60.14 percent winning margin with 5,488 votes in favor over 3,637 opposed.
Brewster’s Sales and Use Tax Levy for criminal justice purposes went down to defeat on a 62.58 percent “no” vote.
The only other contested race in the south Okanogan County area was for Brewster School District 3 director and according to one of the candidates, it wasn’t his intention to be in the contest.
Following the candidate filings, candidate Clark Cooper told the Quad that he neither submitted his name into nomination nor authorized his approval to be named as a candidate. As of Nov. 28, Cooper held a narrow four-vote lead over. incumbent Maria A. Maldonado, 192-188. At press time, Cooper could not be reached for comment as to whether he will accept the Director’s position.